Which Amp for an Acoustic/Electric

[twocorgis]

Hi All,
I did a search of the archives, and came up with one recommendation, but am trying to cover all the bases here. Yesterday I was at the local Guitar Center, and an acoustic/electric followed me home (which was totally unplanned BTW), and it's not a Guild, :shock: but more about that later. I'll probably need an amp to go with it at some point, and wanted to poll the group to see what you all are using and like. I saw one recommendation for a Fender Acoustasonic Jr in the archives, but I don't know much about what else is out there. I'm sure Roland and others make suitable stuff, just need a good starting point. Not in a particular hurry either, so time isn't of the essence or anything
Any thoughts?

 

[AlohaJoe]

Congratulations on the new guitar!

I didn't care much for the Fender myself, though I guess others do. I have had much better results with a Roland AC (Acoustic Chorus) 60. They make an AC90 now if you need it for bigger venues, but I often use mine as a monitor and just take a line out to the house. It's easily portable and very versatile (good for piezo or magnetic), has a nice sounding reverb, good sound overall, has 2 channels and has been very dependable. I've also used Ultrasound and thought it sounded OK, but still preferred the Roland overall as it works with a built in piezo and has a good mike channel.

If you have more $ to spend, Schertler is the pro-level
http://stores.soundislandmusic.com/-strse-Schertler-cln-Amplifiers/Categories.bok
or Acoustic Image http://stores.soundislandmusic.com/-strse-Acoustic-Image-cln-Combos/Categories.bok The AI gear is most commonly paired with a Raezers Edge cabinet.

Each guitar and amp combination will sound different so try your new guitar with the ones you are considering to find what works best for you. Trust your ears.

 

[twocorgis]

Congratulations on the new guitar!

Thanks. It's just like this one, only new. I first played it a couple of months ago and loved it, but not for two grand. GC put it on clearance for $1200 (which was well under their cost, according to my pal Pat the manager), and I couldn't resist. Gibsons that I like this much are few and far between.

I didn't care much for the Fender myself, though I guess others do. I have had much better results with a Roland AC (Acoustic Chorus) 60. They make an AC90 now if you need it for bigger venues, but I often use mine as a monitor and just take a line out to the house. It's easily portable and very versatile (good for piezo or magnetic), has a nice sounding reverb, good sound overall, has 2 channels and has been very dependable. I've also used Ultrasound and thought it sounded OK, but still preferred the Roland overall as it works with a built in piezo and has a good mike channel.

I've seen that Roland, and was pretty sure that it would be a good choice. Roland doesn't make too much bad stuff in my experience. I really don't need some high end setup, as I'm not sure whether I'll be gigging with it or anything. Something nice for around the house would probably be fine, for now at least.

Each guitar and amp combination will sound different so try your new guitar with the ones you are considering to find what works best for you. Trust your ears.

Agreed. GC is closing a lot of stuff out now for some reason, at least here on Long Island. they might even have something suitable in the bargain bin. I hate going there on weekends (the place sounds like a beehive), so I'll wait until Monday. It's handy; right by my office. Helps feed my habit! :lol:

 

[AlohaJoe]

Beautiful guitar... great deal too. I have a friend w one and he loves it. He's had it a year now and the more he plays it the better it sounds. Good choice!

I hate going there on weekends (the place sounds like a beehive), so I'll wait until Monday.

I wouldn't mind it so much if the folks in there would TUNE UP, but out of tune at high volume is horrible, and the staff is a little too "Hey man, what's happening" for me!

 

[twocorgis]

Beautiful guitar... great deal too. I have a friend w one and he loves it. He's had it a year now and the more he plays it the better it sounds. Good choice!

I'm really happy with it so far. It has a huge sound, and the Ovangkol wood is both beautiful and different. I wanted another guitar that was going to be an acoustic/electric, but I wanted something that wasn't either Mahogany or Rosewood. Maple was the most prevalent, so I was leaning towards a blonde Guild and adding the electronics later. This guitar eliminates the need for that, and I have always wanted a Gibson, anyway.

I hate going there on weekends (the place sounds like a beehive), so I'll wait until Monday.

I wouldn't mind it so much if the folks in there would TUNE UP, but out of tune at high volume is horrible, and the staff is a little too "Hey man, what's happening" for me!

The only good thing about going to GC on weekends is that it's busy enough that the staff leaves you alone. I've gotten to the point that at my local GC, Pat the manager is the only one I'll even talk to! Like you say, the rest of them are all a little too "Hey man, what's happening" for me, too.

 

[6L6]

I've got over four yrs of happy gigging under my belt with my Fender Accoustasonic DSP amp. Guitar sounds great and the vocal system is fantastic. Most often I play my '06 D-55 with Fishman Matrix pup through it. Zero problems.

http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=2213200010

6

 

[solenoid lopez]

I use a Marshall AS50r which is pretty nice. Have heard good things about Ultrasound amps but have never tried one as they're hard to get hold of here in the U.K.

 

[twocorgis]

I've got over four yrs of happy gigging under my belt with my Fender Accoustasonic DSP amp. Guitar sounds great and the vocal system is fantastic. Most often I play my '06 D-55 with Fishman Matrix pup through it. Zero problems.

http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=2213200010

6

Thanks Six,

I hear good things about the Fender, too. I found this one not far from me and I don't know what it is. Might be more than I need. Here's some better pics

Any idea what this one is?

 

[marcellis]

Roland AC60. I just bought one. Or the 90 watt AC90.

Fabulous amp. I love it. And loud too.

Only downside on this amp is it doesn't run on batteries.

 

[dapmdave]

Roland AC60. I just bought one. Or the 90 watt AC90.

Fabulous amp. I love it. And loud too.

Only downside on this amp is it doesn't run on batteries.

Those Roland AC models all sound great. I don't own one, but if I needed one, I'd get a Roland in a heartbeat.

You can also just buy a single powered PA speaker and plug right into it. May seem strange, but it works great.

Dave

 

[marcellis]

Roland AC60. I just bought one. Or the 90 watt AC90.

Fabulous amp. I love it. And loud too.

Only downside on this amp is it doesn't run on batteries.

Those Roland AC models all sound great. I don't own one, but if I needed one, I'd get a Roland in a heartbeat.

You can also just buy a single powered PA speaker and plug right into it. May seem strange, but it works great.

Dave

I also play keys. I A/B'd the Roland AC60 against the Roland KC150 keyboard amp.
The AC60 blew it away on both acoustic guitar and keys. I bought it to be a small
PA. I have a wedding the 17th at which I'll use it for that.

It's much smaller & easier to cart around than the Fender Acoustisonic.
I don't know what the Fender RMS power is.
But the Roland Jazz chorus setting is really lush.

Fantastic amp.

 

[evenkeel]

Acoustic guitar amps have more in common with PA systems than with guitar amplifiers. So before you go the amp route you might want to look at a PA. If you are thinking about small coffee shop gigs a PA may give you more versatility. Fender passport, Yamaha, Matrix, Behringer and a bunch of other folks make good, solid PA systems. You will want at least 4 inputs, 1/4" and XLR. E.Q. on each input. Capability to run a stage monitor and a IPOD/MP3 player are very helpful.

If you decide you want to go the amp route, check out Trace Elliott and Genz Benz. For my $$, very, very good acoustic reproduction.

 

[6L6]

twocorgis:

That looks like the top-of-the-line Fender Acoustasonic with the "surround sound" feature. Cool amp I'm sure, but probably heavy to lug around.

My Acoustasonic Jr DSP is the same size/wt of a Fender Deluxe Reverb (same cover fits both), about 42 lbs. Easy to transport and all the power you'll ever need.

6

 

[twocorgis]

If you decide you want to go the amp route, check out Trace Elliott and Genz Benz. For my $$, very, very good acoustic reproduction.

Thanks 'keel.

After trying out a bunch of amps, I liked the Genz Benz Shenandoah 60 better than the Roland and the Fender, and found one on Craigslist in basically unused condition for $300. It should arrive Friday. I'll keep everyone informed, and thanks for all the advice!

 

[adorshki]

After trying out a bunch of amps, I liked the Genz Benz Shenandoah 60 better than the Roland and the Fender, and found one on Craigslist in basically unused condition for $300. It should arrive Friday. I'll keep everyone informed, and thanks for all the advice!

Sandy upon close inspection of your equipment list it appears you now need to fill a couple of holes with respect to '60's vintage and '80's vintage materiele. :lol:

 

[twocorgis]

Sandy upon close inspection of your equipment list it appears you now need to fill a couple of holes with respect to '60's vintage and '80's vintage materiele. :lol:

Maybe some day, but for now I'd like to stay married. :wink:

No more guitars. Honestly! And besides, I can't put this Gibson down for long anyway. I'm really happy I found one that I like. I hope it holds up better than Doc's. :shock:

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

I have several guitar amplifiers, but My Fender Passport PD-150 PA system makes any pick-up equipped, acoustic guitar sound heavenly, when plugged into the stereo channel.
Also, feed back is non-existent with this PA system. I would have never bought guitar amps, had I known how good a guitar sounds through the
Fender PA.

 

[adorshki]

Sandy upon close inspection of your equipment list it appears you now need to fill a couple of holes with respect to '60's vintage and '80's vintage materiele. :lol:

Maybe some day, but for now I'd like to stay married. :wink:
No more guitars. Honestly! And besides, I can't put this Gibson down for long anyway. I'm really happy I found one that I like. I hope it holds up better than Doc's. :shock:

Actually Doc never really liked his out of the box, it was his first purchase made without playing it first. YOUR mileage WILL definitely vary! Just 'cause it's a Gibson doesn't mean you have to treat it like a stepchild. But would you mind if it ate dinner out on the back stoop? :lol:

 

[HankMauel]

I'll put a vote in for Ultrasound. Available in a range of powers (35-250W) and with various onboard features and effects.
Used mine for years in church. Set the levels/effects I wanted and used the amp as a monitor while sending the signal out to the board for the house mix.
Use it now in my shop when installing pickups in customer guitars.

 

[twocorgis]

Actually Doc never really liked his out of the box, it was his first purchase made without playing it first. YOUR mileage WILL definitely vary! Just 'cause it's a Gibson doesn't mean you have to treat it like a stepchild. But would you mind if it ate dinner out on the back stoop? :lol:

Interesting, and why I wouldn't buy a Gibson (or a Martin for that matter) without playing it first, but would buy a Guild. It's all about consistency. Maybe I've just been lucky, but I've never played a bad Guild, which I certainly can't say for the others. The thing about Gibsons is that when they're good, they're REALLY good!